As anticipated by Oliver, his parents did not take him seriously when he said that he wanted to run for mayor, so they'd turned to Tommy Merlyn and Merlyn Global for funding in his campaign and Tommy had immediately agreed, since he really just wanted to see how this played out.
"So, mind telling me why you want to run for mayor? This seems like the sort of thing you would have done in your pre Jasmine days when you were drunk." Tommy said.
"Actually, I think I have done this when I was drunk once. But this time, I'm serious about it." Oliver said.
"But why?" Tommy asked.
"I have my reasons." Oliver said and Tommy just nodded, knowing that Oliver probably wouldn't tell him.
"You sure you have what it takes though pal?" Tommy asked.
"I think I can handle it." Oliver said, since even after he'd been forced to drop out of the race the first time, he'd still had overwhelming support and after he'd been cleared of all charges and gotten Watson locked up (that part had been fun), he'd been re elected with overwhelming support for a second term.
"Great, then I will fund your campaign, as long as you're serious about this." Tommy said.
"More serious than I've been about most things." Oliver said.
"Besides Laurel you mean." Tommy said and Oliver nodded.
"She and my family are by far the most serious thing in my life." Oliver confirmed.
"As they should be. I don't know what I'd do if I lost Sara." Tommy said.
"You wouldn't become your dad." Oliver said.
"I hope so." Tommy said.
"Speaking of dads, think you'll be joining that little club any time soon." Oliver asked.
"I'm not sure Sara and I are ready for that just yet." Tommy said and Oliver smiled.
"I never would have thought Laurel and I were ready for kids before I came home and now we're expecting our second kid." Oliver said.
Meanwhile, in an office complex across town, Slade Wilson was watching the news with Sebastian Blood.
"While people are surprised by Oliver Queen's announcement of running for mayor, but he has quickly gathered support in his campaign." the reporter said.
"This complicates things. A part of this plan requires me to become the mayor." Blood said.
"Do not worry, while this may be a shock, I know the kid well enough to that this won't last. Once the people of this city come to their senses, you will have an easy victory. After all, the kid is no politician." Slade said.
"I hope you're right. For the sake of your own plan." Blood said.
"Don't worry. But now, I believe the time has come to implement phase 2, the construction of my army." Slade said confidently.
"Do you have any preferences as to who I should start with? Maybe Queen's daughter?" Blood asked.
"Jasmine Queen is too young to be a viable soldier and besides, she'll probably be surrounded by security since she's the daughter of a mayoral candidate." Slade said, since even though he was crazy, he wasn't stupid, trying to abduct Oliver's daughter would be suicide to anyone except maybe him.
"Are you sure all the security on Jasmine is necessary?" Laurel asked, since Oliver had hired 2 bodyguards from the same agency as John to protect Jasmine.
"As long as Slade is out there and is crazy, there's no such thing as unnecessary security for her. We can't always be there for her, so I'd prefer if she always had someone watching her and besides, they've been ordered to make sure she doesn't even know they're there. Besides, we both learned from Jessica Danforth that running for mayor can put people I love in danger and while most of you can handle yourselves, Jasmine can't." Oliver said and Laurel nodded, seeing his point.
"I spoke with Lyla earlier today, apparently Argus has some additional tech that can help us keep an eye on her. The cure is coming along nicely to. We should have it soon." Laurel said and Oliver nodded.
"I've got Felicity trying to track down Slade's hideout as we speak as well." Oliver said.
"Oh, and as far as Jasmine defending herself, I was thinking that maybe we could sign her up for kiddie karate." Laurel said and Oliver chuckled.
"Couldn't hurt. Especially since she needs something to do outside of school" Oliver said and Laurel nodded.
"My thoughts exactly. Especially since she'll need to make new friends." Laurel said.
"If she wants to, we'll sign her up." Oliver said and Laurel nodded as Oliver's phone went off.
"Hello?" Oliver asked.
"How do you feel about a trip to the Glades." John asked over the phone.
"Depends on what it's for." Oliver said.
"The mayor is in office. Roy, Thea and I are already en route to his base." John said.
"I'll meet you there." Oliver said as he hung up.
"What's going on?" Laurel asked.
"Xavier Reed is in office." Oliver said.
"Go." Laurel said and Oliver nodded as he kissed her and then left and Laurel couldn't help but feel a bit envious, since she missed those days herself, but since she was pregnant, she couldn't go.